Biochar: Building Healthy Soil & Crops

Building Soil from the Ground Up: 

Soil is a fascinating interconnected system, driven by the sun, mediated by plants, and integral to our climate. Join instructor Dale Hendricks for an educational workshop on a unique, natural, and scalable soil-building amendment called biochar. Learn the process of capturing carbon in a carbon deficient environment through burning wood scraps and using them to aid in moisture and nutrient retention in the soil.

This class will explore answers to questions like:

• What is Biochar?
• How can gardeners and farmers most productively engage with their soil?
• What is the “Liquid-Carbon Pathway”?
• What role does a diverse perennial plant system play in building carbon in our soil?

Included in the class is a live demonstration of how biochar is made! The instructor will demystify the process by showcasing a variety of methods to achieve this goal. He will begin by firing up a small clean-burning, biochar making cookstove to demonstrate the process and then move on to a larger, “open burn” technique with wood outside on the farm.

Program Notes:

Arrival: Parking takes place in the field above the farmhouse. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early so we can begin the class on time. This class will begin by gathering in our Corn Barn--the smaller of the two red barns across the street from the farmhouse.

Environment: This class will take place in a covered, semi-outdoor building, moving outdoors for demonstration portions. Please check the weather in advance and dress accordingly.

Cost: The cost for this program is $35/person. Sliding scale options are available to increase accessibility.  

All programs are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather. Participants will receive an email in the days preceding the program for any changes or cancellations. You can review our current Cancellation and Refund Policy here. 

About the Instructor: Dale Hendricks

Image sourced from Grid Magazine event page: Pawpaws & Permaculture Plants for a Resilient Garden

Dale Hendricks has been growing and propagating plants professionally since 1975 when he was fortunate to gain employment at Green Leaf Enterprises in Lancaster County, Pa. In 1988 he co-founded North Creek Nurseries, Inc along with current owner Steve Castorani in order to propagate and grow perennials and grasses with an emphasis on natives and garden selections of natives. In 2009 he founded Green Light Plants, LLC. To build carbon friendly and regenerative landscapes; growing native, woodland and permaculture plants, organically and joyfully. Since ’88 he lives in Landenberg, southern Chester County, Pa with his family where he gardens, propagates plants, and grows good soil. 

Featured Media:

• We Found America's Lost Food Forest (Andrew Millison, 2025)
• Episode 23 - Dale Hendricks is the owner of Green Light Plants, LLC (The Plant A Trillion Trees Podcast, 2025) 
• Permaculture Ponderings: An Interview with Dale Hendricks (Waxwing Ecoworks, 2020) 
• Dale Hendricks on Rewilding the Landscape (Wild Plant Culture, 2019)
• The (Very Gentle) Fight to Save a Downingtown “Food Forest” (City Life, 2018)